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2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
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2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class — Safety Summary
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class has 0 NHTSA safety recalls and 45 owner complaints on record. Transport Canada separately lists 21 Canadian recalls for this model. The most frequently reported complaint area is engine. It earned an NHTSA overall safety rating of Not Rated out of 5. Based on this public data we rate its risk profile as medium. Enter your VIN above to confirm which of these apply to your exact vehicle, then get the Smart Buyer Report for AI analysis of this model's reliability, common issues by mileage, and a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
NHTSA Safety Ratings
Government crash test results
NHTSA Recalls
0 recall(s) for this year/model
Transport Canada Recalls
21 Canadian recall(s) from the official Transport Canada database
Airbag
2019-10-02Issue: On certain vehicles, the driver-front airbag module may not be properly attached. This could cause the airbag module to separate from its mount in a crash. Safety Risk: An airbag that separates from its mount may not function correctly and could create an increased risk of injury in a crash. Corrective Action: Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to inspect and replace the driver-front airbag module, as required.
Electrical
2020-02-07Issue: On certain vehicles, the communications module for the emergency call system (eCall) may be damaged. As a result, the GPS coordinates of the vehicle may be incorrectly transmitted or missing when an emergency call is made. Safety Risk: If the vehicle’s GPS coordinates are unavailable, or provided incorrectly, there could be a delay or no response from emergency services. Corrective Actions: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the communications module.
Seats And Restraints
2020-06-09Issue: On certain vehicles, the lock that secures the backrest on the left-rear seat may be defective. As a result, cargo in the trunk could load the backrest in a crash and cause the lock to fail. If this happens, the seat backrest could tilt forward. Note: This recall only affects vehicles equipped with rear seat backrests that can be unlocked electronically. Safety Risk: A backrest that tilts forward in a crash could increase the risk of injury. Corrective Actions: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the backrest lock on the left-rear seat. As a precautionary measure, you should avoid loading heavy items in the trunk until the recall repairs are completed.
Engine
2020-06-22Issue: On certain vehicles, the screws that attach the oil lines to the turbocharger may not have been properly tightened. If the screws are not properly tightened, oil could leak onto hot surfaces in the engine bay. Safety Risk: Engine oil that leaks onto a hot surface could cause a fire. Corrective Actions: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect and repair the turbocharger oil feed and return line mounting, as necessary.
Brakes
2020-07-06Issue: On certain vehicles, the software for the electronic stability control system (ESP) was not programmed correctly. As a result, the ESP system may not function as intended in certain driving situations. Safety Risk: A stability control system that does not work properly could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to update the software for the ESP system.
Steering
2020-10-27Issue: On certain vehicles, the wiring harness for the power steering control unit may have been damaged during production. As a result, moisture may enter the wiring harness and cause a loss of power steering assist or a short circuit. Safety Risk: A loss of power steering assist may result in a sudden increase in steering effort, especially at low speeds. This could increase the risk of a crash. A short circuit could create a fire risk. Corrective Action: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the wiring harness for the steering control unit and replace it, if necessary.
Electrical
2020-12-12Issue: On certain vehicles, the power supply cable to the starter may have been attached incorrectly. As a result, the power cable could contact the starter housing. This can damage the cable, and could result in a short circuit. Safety Risk: A short circuit could cause the vehicle to stall and create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to check the cable connections to the starter and correct them, if necessary.
Accessories
2021-02-01Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the rearview camera image not to appear on the central display. Canadian regulations require the rearview image to display when the transmission is shifted into reverse gear. Safety Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display could reduce a driver's ability to see behind the vehicle while backing up. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to update the head unit software.
Seats And Restraints
2021-02-03Issue: On certain C-Class cabriolet models equipped with the PRE-SAFE system, the front seat belts may not retract completely to their storage position. Canadian regulations require seat belts to retract fully when not in use. Safety Risk: If the seat belt does not fully retract, the occupant may find the operation of the seat belt inconvenient and not wear it. This could increase the risk of injury in a crash. Corrective Actions: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the function of the front seat belt retractors and adjust the dampening foam, if necessary.
Electrical
2021-02-12Issue: On certain vehicles equipped with the emergency calling (eCall) system, the communications module may temporarily lose power during a crash. If this happens, the wrong vehicle location may be transmitted through the eCall system. This could cause emergency responders to be sent to the wrong location. Safety Risk: If the eCall system sends out the wrong location after a crash, there could be a delay in response from emergency services. Corrective Actions: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and send a wireless over-the-air update to each vehicle. If the update cannot be completed successfully, you will be notified to schedule an appointment to have the update performed by a dealer.
Other
2021-03-03Issue: On certain vehicles equipped with the emergency calling (eCall) system, the communications module could be deactivated. As a result, the eCall may not work properly when there is a crash or when the SOS button is pressed. Safety Risk: If the eCall system does not work in an emergency situation, there could be a delay in response from emergency services. Corrective Actions: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the communication module and verify that it is properly activated.
Structure
2021-03-22Issue: On certain vehicles, the plastic panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been attached correctly during a prior service repair. Over time, the panel could loosen and separate from the vehicle. Safety Risk: A panel that detaches from a moving vehicle could create a road hazard for others and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the front roof panel.
Visual System
2021-05-14Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the rearview camera image not to appear on the central display. Canadian regulations require the rearview image to display when the transmission is shifted into reverse gear. Safety Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display could reduce a driver's ability to see behind the vehicle while backing up. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and send a wireless over-the-air software update to each vehicle. If the update cannot be completed successfully, you will be notified to schedule an appointment to have the update performed by a dealer.
Lights And Instruments
2021-07-05Issue: On certain vehicles, a label on the headlamp assembly may contain incorrect information for a service technician. As a result, the headlamps may not get adjusted correctly after a repair. This could cause glare and/or confusion for oncoming drivers. Note: This recall only affects certain vehicles equipped with LED headlamps. Safety Risk: Headlamps that cause glare or confusion for oncoming drivers could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Action: Mercedez-Benz will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the headlamps.
Airbag
2021-07-13Issue: On certain vehicles, the crash sensors in the front doors could disconnect due to a defect with the sensor housings. If this happens, the airbag light will turn on. If this happens during a side-impact crash, the response from the restraint (airbag) system may be delayed. Safety Risk: A delay in the activation of the side airbag, curtain airbag and/or seat belt pretensioner could create an increased the risk of injury in a crash. Corrective Actions: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the crash sensors in both front doors and replace them, if necessary.
Fuel System
2021-12-13Issue: On certain vehicles, small particles could damage the seals between the fuel rail and fuel injectors. If this happens, there could be a fuel leak in the engine compartment. Safety Risk: A fuel leak can create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the fuel rail and fuel injectors.
Visual System
2022-04-12Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the rearview camera image not to appear on the central display. Canadian regulations require the rearview image to display when the transmission is shifted into reverse gear. Safety Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display could reduce a driver's ability to see behind the vehicle while backing up. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the rearview camera software.
Other
2022-05-20Issue: On certain vehicles equipped with the emergency calling (eCall) system, the SIM card for the communications module could disable itself. If this happens, the eCall system would not work properly when there is a crash or when the SOS button is pressed. Safety Risk: If the eCall system does not work in an emergency situation, there could be a delay in response from emergency services. Corrective Actions: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and send a wireless over-the-air software update to each vehicle. If the update cannot be completed successfully, you will be notified to schedule an appointment to have the update performed by a dealer.
Powertrain
2022-07-08Issue: On certain vehicles, the transmission wiring harness may have been routed incorrectly. As a result, the wiring could be damaged by contact with the front driveshaft. If this happens, there could be a loss of power to the wheels. Safety Risk: A loss of power to the wheels could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect the transmission wiring harness, and replace it if necessary.
Structure
2023-12-15Issue: On certain vehicles, the plastic panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been attached correctly during a prior service repair. Over time, the panel could loosen and separate from the vehicle. Note: This is an expansion of Transport Canada recall 2021-170. Safety Risk: A panel that detaches from a moving vehicle could create a road hazard for others and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the front roof panel.
Lights And Instruments
2024-02-02Issue: On certain vehicles, the headlamps were not adjusted properly at the factory. Safety Risk: Headlamps that aren't adjusted properly could cause reduced visibility and/or glare for oncoming drivers, and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect the headlamps, and adjust them as necessary.
Contains information sourced from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database, licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Data is provided "as is" from Transport Canada's monthly release and may not reflect real-time updates. Transport Canada does not endorse this service. Always confirm open recalls with the manufacturer or Transport Canada before purchase.
Owner Complaints
45 complaint(s) filed with NHTSA
Top complaint categories:
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The free data above comes from public NHTSA records. The Smart Buyer Report adds AI-powered analysis for this exact model — reliability score, common problems by mileage, real maintenance costs in CAD, a pre-purchase inspection checklist, a market value estimate, and Canadian notes on rust, winter, and fuel.
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